Ministry in the Meantime:

Some Principles, Practices and Some Principles, Practices and Pointers on Interim Ministry Pointers on Interim Ministry

By The Rev. Dr. Cathi Braasch STS By The Rev. Dr. Cathi Braasch STS Nashotah House Nashotah House

Theological SeminaryTheological SeminaryMay 18, 2012May 18, 2012

Definitions of interim ministry, intentional and Definitions of interim ministry, intentional and otherwise;otherwise;

The congregational life cycle;The congregational life cycle; Five key phases of interim ministry;  Five key phases of interim ministry;  Reading congregational culture(s) Reading congregational culture(s) Assessing congregational connectedness and Assessing congregational connectedness and

conflict; and conflict; and Self-care while engaged in an interim ministry.Self-care while engaged in an interim ministry.

Interim Ministry:Interim Ministry:

Ministry that takes place Ministry that takes place during the period during the period between calls of one between calls of one settled pastor and settled pastor and his/her successor. his/her successor.

Why interim ministry?Why interim ministry? Older view – Older view –

– fill a gap between settled pastorsfill a gap between settled pastors– Care-takingCare-taking

Newer view – Newer view – – Intentional, positive opportunityIntentional, positive opportunity– re-evaluate congregation’s mission and identityre-evaluate congregation’s mission and identity– To prepare for future mission and pastor To prepare for future mission and pastor

The unintentional interim ministry The unintentional interim ministry

Five key phases of interim ministryFive key phases of interim ministry

For the congregationFor the congregation1.1. Coming to Terms with its Coming to Terms with its

History & HeritageHistory & Heritage

2.2. Enabling Leadership Enabling Leadership Changes Changes

3.3. Developing a Vision for Developing a Vision for Future MissionFuture Mission

4.4. Reaffirming/Renewing Reaffirming/Renewing Connections With the Connections With the Wider ChurchWider Church

5.5. Commitment to New Commitment to New Directions in Ministry Directions in Ministry

The Intentional Interim brings The Intentional Interim brings specific:specific:

– KnowledgeKnowledge

– SkillsSkills

– AptitudeAptitude

– ExperienceExperience

The congregational life cycleThe congregational life cycle

BIRTHBIRTH DEATHDEATH

The Congregational Life CycleThe Congregational Life CycleThe Congregational Life CycleThe Congregational Life Cycle

GROWTHGROWTH DECLINEDECLINE

STABILITYSTABILITY

BIRTHBIRTH DEATHDEATH

BIRTHBIRTH DEATHDEATH

REDEFINITIONREDEFINITIONREDEFINITIONREDEFINITION

REDEVELOPMENTREDEVELOPMENTREDEVELOPMENTREDEVELOPMENT

REBIRTHREBIRTHREBIRTHREBIRTH

Gro

wth

Decline

Two Common Mistakes made Two Common Mistakes made when entering an interim when entering an interim

situation:situation:

Two Common Mistakes made Two Common Mistakes made when entering an interim when entering an interim

situation:situation:

BIRTHBIRTH DeathDeath

1. Underestimating level of decline (the current state of decline in the congregation)

2. Underestimating just how much change will be needed to put congregation on growth side of the life cycle.

Why it’s important to read the life Why it’s important to read the life cycle accurately…cycle accurately…

Reading congregational culture(s)Reading congregational culture(s)

BehaviorsBehaviors

ValuesValues

Beliefs &Beliefs &World viewWorld view

When cultures collide…When cultures collide…

BehaviorsBehaviors

ValuesValues

Beliefs &Beliefs &World viewWorld view

Pointers…Pointers…

Be self-aware of your own culture (behaviors, Be self-aware of your own culture (behaviors, values, beliefs, world view)values, beliefs, world view)

Be(come) adept at reading congregational culturesBe(come) adept at reading congregational cultures Insight and Intuition -- Watch below the water line Insight and Intuition -- Watch below the water line

(avoiding collisions where possible)(avoiding collisions where possible) Transformation -- Seek to lower the water line Transformation -- Seek to lower the water line

(broaden cultural awareness and respect)(broaden cultural awareness and respect)

A framework for assessing congregational A framework for assessing congregational

connectedness (or lack thereof)connectedness (or lack thereof)Vision &

goals____________

Relationships

_________________

Roles

__________________________

Procedures

Vision & Goals:Vision & Goals: Clear, written, agreed uponClear, written, agreed upon

Relationships: Based on mutualRelationships: Based on mutual Honor, trust, respectHonor, trust, respect

Roles: Roles: Defined, agreed-upon, free of Defined, agreed-upon, free of

role conflictrole conflictProcedures:Procedures: For decision making, For decision making,

accountability, “fair fights”accountability, “fair fights” Set in advance and writtenSet in advance and written

Conflict & Antagonism Definition of an antagonist: someone who on the Definition of an antagonist: someone who on the

basis of non- substantive evidence, goes out of basis of non- substantive evidence, goes out of their way to make insatiable demands, usually their way to make insatiable demands, usually attacking the person or performance of others; attacking the person or performance of others; these attacks are selfish in nature, tear down these attacks are selfish in nature, tear down rather than build up, and are frequently directed rather than build up, and are frequently directed against leadership. (p. 27)against leadership. (p. 27)

Kinds of antagonists: hard core (usually irrational, Kinds of antagonists: hard core (usually irrational, unreasonable). Major antagonist (possible to unreasonable). Major antagonist (possible to reason with them, but they will not be reasoned reason with them, but they will not be reasoned with). (p. 28)with). (p. 28)

From “Antagonists in the Church” by Kenneth HaugkFrom “Antagonists in the Church” by Kenneth Haugk

Degrees of Conflict & Antagonism(Hauck)

Impossible situation – Intractable; Destroy – Intractable; Destroy opponent at any cost to them or meopponent at any cost to them or me

Very difficult --Very difficult -- Fight/Flight; Hurt Fight/Flight; Hurt opponents or get rid of themopponents or get rid of them

Tough – Contests:Tough – Contests: Win, Put others in their Win, Put others in their placeplace

Easy – DisagreementsEasy – Disagreements; Self-protection; Self-protection Easiest -- Problem to solve; work out a ; work out a

solutionsolution

Self-care and Interim MinistrySelf-care and Interim Ministry

Worship & Prayer LifeWorship & Prayer Life Spiritual DirectionSpiritual Direction AccountabilityAccountability Balance – Time MasteryBalance – Time Mastery

Clear-air turbulence @ 33,000 feetClear-air turbulence @ 33,000 feet

Titles For Your Tool KitTitles For Your Tool Kit

Let us take counsel … Let us take counsel … aka Table Talkaka Table Talk